Investors holding 57 per cent of the carrier’s shares voted for the purchase of 35 A320 aircraft and 100 new A320neo jets, with options for 100 more, at a meeting in Luton. The vote represents a defeat for easyJet’s founder Haji-Ioannou, who claimed the money should be returned to investors.

He quit the board in 2010 in a row over strategy but he and his family still own a 37 per cent stake. Haji-Ioannou has criticised easyJet’s refusal to reveal the price it is paying for the jets but easyJet said it was commercially confidential.

aji-Ioannou has criticised easyJet’s refusal to reveal the price it is paying for the jets but easyJet said it was commercially confidential

A spokesman for Haji-Ioannou said he would monitor the situation and could take legal action if problems emerged later. “This is the most important decision shareholders have had to make but they’re not being told the full facts,” he said.

Chairman John Barton said: “The vote in favour of our new fleet will allow easyJet to continue its strategy of modest, profitable growth and sustainable shareholder returns.” The shares rose 11p to 1347p.